Small Cowfish died, should I worry for the tank?

[Norfin]

Hi. Brand new to the forum, and to marine aquariums, too!

I have a 90-gallon tank which has a lot of live rock (and a fair amount of algae), and just a few dwellers: a hawk fish of about 3”, two small clowns, and a small hammer coral (plus a smattering if snails and tiny hermits).

And up until this morning (last night?), a small Cowfish. He was never quite at home since I bought him about a month ago, but seemed to be more comfortable recently. The. I found him on the bottom of the tank, and removed right away.

Since then, the coral had pulled itself into its base for a while (now is out and looks ok), and a slew of very tiny, long-legged starfish have emerged from the rock. Should I be concerned?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Welcome to Reef2reef!

I think you are just fine.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Welcome to R2R!!! Sorry about your cowfish

 

[tdowning]

Welcome to R2R. I echo the other comment, you'll be fine. If you are worried do a small wc to make yourself feel a little better. Happy Reefing!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I owned a full line pet store for years. Cowfish back then were impossible to keep alive. I think that hasn't changed. They seem to eat up front then just shut down.
Personally, they should not be sold for the hobby at all as you will rarely hear of any being raised in a system long term. I think this is isolated and if of concern- always do a water change but I say it was the fish and not anything to do with tank. Monitor behavior/feeding of other fish as an assurance

 

[Norfin]

Welcome to Reef2reef!

I think you are just fine.

Excellent, thanks! Yes, the coral looks great again. The tiny starfish are *everywhere*. Not sure why they decided to suddenly emerge from the rocks. They’re so interesting.

 

[vetteguy53081]

keep an eye on those cool tiny starfish which are Asterina stars. They reproduce like mice. They break off a leg which grows back. The broke off leg becomes a new start.
They can be simply great algae eaters or can be your biggest nightmare when they start eating your zoas and annoying other coral

 

[Norfin]

Noted! Thanks. Any method you know of to control them? (Reducing tank algae would help, I imagine.)

 

[vetteguy53081]

Noted! Thanks. Any method you know of to control them? (Reducing tank algae would help, I imagine.)

Harlequin shrimp eats them like candy. I have one in my main tank

 

[Norfin]

Harlequin shrimp eats them like candy. I have one in my main tank

I heard that shrimp themselves are like candy to Hawkfish ... true? Mine is about 3” long.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I heard that shrimp themselves are like candy to Hawkfish ... true? Mine is about 3” long.

Possibly yes. Anything that can fit in a fishes mouth sooner or later WILL

 

[Reefinmike]

keep an eye on those cool tiny starfish which are Asterina stars. They reproduce like mice. They break off a leg which grows back. The broke off leg becomes a new start.
They can be simply great algae eaters or can be your biggest nightmare when they start eating your zoas and annoying other coral

Op describes them as long legged starfish coming out from the rocks. Sounds much more like mini brittle starfish. Asterinas are about as short-legged as they come.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Pics would help. Brittle star im ok with

 

[Norfin]

Vetteguy I think you are right: mini brittles. Not a very good pic here, but this board doesn’t seem to like iPhone videos. Thanks!

 

[Captain Quint]

Welcome to R2R and sorry about your cowfish.

Congrats on the population of mini brittles. I personally love them.

 

[vetteguy53081]

These are serpent stars- also safe